Water Treatment

Water Sources & Treatment

CFPUA’s Water Treatment Division processes and distributes an average of 16 million gallons of drinking water to homes and businesses throughout New Hanover County. There are 3 basic parts to the water supply system: source, treatment and distribution. Our two main sources of water are the Cape Fear River and underground aquifers (Castle Hayne & PeeDee).

Water Systems

Sweeney Water Treatment Plant (PWS #04-65-010)

Sweeney WTP treats and distributes water within the City of Wilmington, parts of Ogden, Monkey Junction, King’s Grant and the Flemington/421 Corridor. Surface water drawn from the Cape Fear River is processed through Sweeney's state-of-the-art facility that incorporates the latest and most innovative water treatment technologies including the use of ozone and UV for disinfection purposes. Sweeney WTP has the capacity to treat up to 35 million gallons of water per day.

Richardson Water Treatment Plant (PWS #04-65-232)

Richardson WTP distributes water to northern New Hanover County including Murrayville, Wrightsboro, Porters Neck, and parts of Castle Hayne and Ogden. It supplies groundwater to this system via wells which draw from the Castle Hayne and Pee Dee Aquifers. Richardson WTP contains state-of-the-art membrane technology recognized as one of the best available technologies for removing organic material in the water and is effective in reducing the formation of disinfection byproducts. The Richardson Plant has the capability of treating up to 6 million gallons of groundwater per day.

CFPUA also operates a smaller groundwater system in southern New Hanover County. The Monterey Heights system (PWS #04-65-191) distributes water in Monterey Heights, Woodlake, Laurel Ridge, South Myrtle Grove, Sentry Oaks, Deer Crossing, Lord’s Creek and Veteran’s Park area. This system provides treated groundwater from wells that draw water from the Castle Hayne and surficial aquifers.

Drinking Water Guidelines

Water distributed by the CFPUA is constantly measured against safety standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ). These standards specify that drinking water must be analyzed for various compounds and substances including but not limited to:

Bacteria

Fertilizer

Fuels

Lead

Organic & inorganic materials

Pesticides

Solvents

CFPUA’s water consistently meets or exceeds all of these safeguards and is outlined in our Water Quality Report. Water Quality Reports are compiled and made available to our customers by June 1 annually.

Plant Tours Available

We welcome school groups and organizations to tour either of our 2 water treatment facilities. Learn more about where your water comes from, how it’s treated and delivered to our homes and businesses. Tours are age appropriate and offer an exciting behind-the-scenes look at the treatment process. Tours must be requested and scheduled in advance.Facility Tour Request Form